Sonic bomb alerting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An alerting mechanism in which an explosive carrying projectile unloaded from a dispenser is carried by an indexed turret to a firing station at which the projectile is ignited in a vertical position for rocketing a substantial vertical distance before delayed ignition of a charge producing an audible and visible alert over a wide region. The dispenser stores two types of projectiles selected by a selector switch to begin cyclic operation including loading and firing of the selected type of projectiles. Operation is terminated at any desired time by means of a stop switch and is restarted automatically regardless of the position at which the turret was previously stopped.

United States Patent inventors Michael F. Murray 5467 Foster Road; Arthur R. Taggart, both of Paradise, Calif. 95969 Appl. No. 759,832

Filed Sept. 16, 1968 Patented June 8, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 681,766, Nov. 9, 1967, now abandoned. This application Sept. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 759,832

SONIC BOMB ALERTING APPARATUS 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 89/1, 42/1,89/33, 89/135, 116/123 Int. Cl F4lf 9/00, G08b 3/14 Field of Search 42/1; 89/1,

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.7,l88 6/1876 Broadwell 89/13 2,340,991 2/ l 944 Severance 89/13 2,356,304 8/1944 Da Costa 89/13 2,368,018 1/1945 Groth et al.. 89/1 2,981,157 4/1961 Marquardt 89/135 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle Attorneys-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson desired time by means of a stop switch and is restarted automatically regardless of the position at which the turret was previously stopped.

PATENTEUJUN 8|97| 3.583.276

SHEET 1 OF 4 Fig. 5

Michael F M y Arthur R. Tagga IN vmv'mn 5 SONIC BOMB ALERTING APPARATUS This application is a Continuation-in-part of my prior copending application U.S. Serial No. 68l,766, filed Nov. 9, 1967, now abandoned.

The invention relates to apparatus for successively firing a relatively large number of projectiles, salutes or aerial bombs in order to provide a readily audible and visible alert which may be heard and seen from great distances and even felt by deaf persons. Such apparatus for producing alerting signals may hence be incorporated into a civil defense alert system in order to warn the public in the event of imminent attack or natural occurring disasters, such as tidal waves, earthquakes, hurricanes. etc.

The present invention is intended to provide warning apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, install and operate and considerably more effective than existing warning devices such as motor driven sirens, compressed air whistles, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, two types of projectiles such as alerting salutes and all clear salutes are unloaded by gravity feeding means from a dispenser into projectile carrying barrels mounted vertically on an indexed turret operatively positioned in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser. The turret is angularly displaced from precisely determined indexed positions in order to carry the projectiles from the loading station at the dispenser to a firing station at which the projectile is ignited by a solenoid operated firing mechanism. The projectile is accordingly ejected from the barrel by ignition of a charge of lift-off gunpowder and rockets to a substantial height before a delayed action wick ignites another charge of gunpowder causing explosion of a compressed gas such as hydrogen to provide an audible and visible alert over great distances.

Once indexing movement of the turret is initiated by actuation of a projectile selector switch, the mechanism automatically recycles and during each cycle effects unloading of a projectile from the dispenser and firing of a projectile until operation is terminated by actuation of a stop switch or exhaust of the projectiles from the dispenser. Means are also provided for restarting automatic operation of the apparatus from any position at which the turret was previously stopped, this being a problem inasmuch as the turret is indexed by being accelerated only part of its travel from one index position to another in view of the substantial inertia of the turret with the projectiles carried thereon. Thus, an electric brake engages the turret while the indexing motor is deenergized so that the turret may coast to the indexed position at which it is positively latched in order to insure proper loading and firing of the projectiles at the dispenser and firing stations. Latch mounted switch means therefore prevents unloading of projectiles at the dispenser station and firing of projectiles at the firing station until such time as the turret is properly latched in its indexed position.

Deceleration of the turret to begin coasting during automatic operation is effected at the same time that a timing cycle is begun of a duration accommodating the desired interval between firing of projectiles. Upon completion of a timing cycle, the indexing motor is reenergized to begin a new cycle. The timing circuit also cooperates with the other components of the control system to insure automatic operation even when operation is started with the turret in a nonindexed position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. I with parts broken away and shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view with parts broken away and shown in section taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 7-7 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 10-10 in FIG. 7

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 11-11 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is an electrical circuit diagram corresponding to the control system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view taken through a typical projectile.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention generally denoted by reference numeral 10. The various components of the apparatus in the illustrated embodiment, are fixedly mounted on a baseplate 11. These components include a projectile storing dispenser generally referred to by reference numeral 12, a turret mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 14 and a firing mechanism 16.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispenser I2 is in the form of a housing 18 supported in radially overlapping relation to the turret mechanism 14 by means of the supporting leg structure 20 fastened to the baseplate 11. The forward end 22 of the housing rests on top of the turret mechanism so that projectiles stored therewithin may be unloaded into the turret mechanism. The housing is reloaded with projectiles by removal of the closure 24 from the access opening 26 in the top wall 28 adjacent the rear end 30 of the housing. A partition wall 32 internally divides the housing into storage chambers 34 and 36 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2. Two different types of projectiles are stored within the chambers 34 and 36 respectively, such as alert salutes 38 within chamber 34 and all clear salutes 40 within chamber 36. These salutes differ from each other in that they produce characteristically different alerting signals for respectively signifying an emergency situation and removal of the emergency situation. Within each chamber 34 and 36, a zigzag type conduit or chute 42 is formed as shown in FIG. 3 through which the projectiles or salutes are fed downwardly under the influence of gravity toward a common outlet chute 44 extending from outlet openings formed at the lower forward ends of the chambers 34 and 36 on either side of the partition wall 32. The outlet chute 44 extends through an opening 46 formed in the top enclosure 48 of the turret mechanism 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the enclosure 48 is mounted on a cylindrical wall 50 enclosing the turret mechanism in fixed operative relation to the dispenser 12 and the cylindrical wall 50 surrounds a supporting framework consisting of four, spaced angle braces 52 to which an annular support ring 54 is secured as by welding in concentric relation to a vertical rotational axis for a circular turret disc 56. Turret disc 56 is connected to the upper end of a drive shaft 58 which is journaled within a pair of vertically spaced sleeves 60 and 62 secured between the braces 52 in axial alignment with each other. A worm wheel 64 is secured to the shaft 58 between the bearing sleeves and meshes with a worm gear 66 through which rotational movement is imparted to the turret disc at a high reduction drive ratio. Bearing support for the turret disc is provided by means of a plurality of roller bearings 68 mounted on the underside of the turret disc so as to ride over an annular bearing ring 70 secured to the top of the fixed support ring 54. As more clearly seen in FIG. 9, each of the roller bearings 68 includes an inverted U-shaped bracket 72 pivotally connected to the underside of the turret disc adjacent its rim. The parallel spaced legs of the bracket are bridged by a pin 74 secured by setscrews 76 to the bracket for rotatably mounting the bearing element 78 between the bracket legs projecting therefrom into bearing contact with the bearing ring 70.

Mounted on top of the turret disc 56, are three upwardly extending barrels 80 angularly spaced apart by 120. The barrels are provided with internal bores 82 of a diameter designed to receive the projectiles 38 or 40 with sufficient clearance in a vertical position from the outlet chute 44 of the dispenser. Thus, projectiles are carried within the barrels 80 from the dispenser to the firing mechanism 16. The firing mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a pair oflegs 84 extending at an angle to each other from a collar 86 fixedly supported by the legs at a firing station above the turret mechanism, angularly spaced from the outlet chute 44 of the dispenser by 120. A firing tube 88 extends upwardly from the collar 86 and extends downwardly through the cover 48 of the turret housing into close spaced relation to the barrels 80 as more clearly seen in FIG. 4. The internal diameter of the firing tube 88 is substantially equal to that of the internal bores 82 of the barrels 80 so that when a barrel carrying a projectile is perfectly aligned with the firing tube as shown in FIG. 4, it will be in a position to be ignited and ejected upwardly through the firing tube. With continued reference to FIG. 4, it will be observed that the turret disc 56 threadedly mounts an externally threaded flanged bushing 90 in concentric relation to each of the barrels 80. The bushing slidably mounts a vertically displaceable firing pin 92 adapted to be upwardly displaced through an aperture 94 formed in the turret disc 56 at the lower end of the barrel 80. The firing mechanism 16 thus includes at the firing station, an impact applying plunger 96 axially aligned below the firing pin 92 when the turret 56 is in a properly indexed position. The plunger 96 therefore extends upwardly from a solenoid core 98 slidably mounted within a tubular coil form 100 on which a solenoid winding 102 is mounted within a tubular housing 104 secured to the underside of the stationary ring 54 by suitable brackets 106 and fasteners] 08. The plunger 96 is projected upwardly through a bearing sleeve in cover 110 secured to the housing 104. A bottom wall 112 secured to the lower end of the housing 104 mounts a solenoid core receiving receptacle 114 having a resilient bumper stop 116 at the bottom thereof. A coil spring 118 is anchored at one end to the plunger 96 above the solenoid core 98 and at its other end is anchored to the top cover 110 in order to normally bias the plunger and solenoid core to a centered position as illustrated by solid line in FIG. 4. It will be apparent therefore, that upon pulsing of the solenoid winding 102, the plunger 96 is displaced downwardly against the bias of spring 118. Upon deenergization of the solenoid winding, the plunger is pulled upwardly by the spring 118 past center so as to engage the firing pin 92 with an impact suffcient to ignite a projectile. For proper ignition however, it will be apparent that the barrel 80 carrying a projectile be perfectly aligned by the turret disc 56 above the plunger 96 at the firing station. The projectile when ignited will then be ejected upwardly through the firing tube which is shielded from the dispenser mechanism by an arcuate shield 120 fixedly mounted on top of the cover 48 of the turret mechanism for this purpose.

When the turret disc 96 is in a perfectly indexed position with one of the projectile carrying barrels aligned at the firing station, another one of the barrels 80 will be perfectly aligned below the outlet chute 44 of the dispenser as more clearly seen in FIG. 5. A projectile from one of the chambers 34 and 36 is adapted to be unloaded into the barrel 80 through the outlet chute 44 when released from the lower end of its storage chamber. A release mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 122 is associated with each of the chambers at the lower ends of the chutes 42. As more clearly seen in FIG. 6, a pivoted retaining member 124 is normally held in a retaining position by means of spring 126 blocking unloading of the projectiles into the outlet chute 44. The retaining member is accordingly pivoted at pivot 126 between a sidewall and partition wall 32 of the dispenser housing. The forward end of the retaining member 124 is connected to a solenoid plunger 130 extending upwardly from one of the two solenoid release devices 132 and 134 associated with each of the release mechanism 122. The solenoid devices are pivotally mounted between the sidewalls of the dispenser housing so that when either one of the solenoid devices are energized, they pivotally displace the associated retaining member 124 against the bias of the spring 126 to a release position as shown by dotted line in FIG. 6 releasing the lowermost projectile while blocking the next projectile from being fed into the outlet chute. Thus, a single projectile is released from one storage chamber at a time into the outlet chute shaped so as to guide the projectile from a horizontal position to a vertical position into the barrel 80 aligned therebelow. A safety switch 136 as shown in FIG. 5 may be mounted adjacent the lower end of the outlet chute so as to be engaged by a projectile during transit from the outlet chute into the barrel 80. This safety switch prevents any indexing movement of the turret disc 56 should any projectile become jammed between the outlet chute and the barrel into which it is being loaded. it will also be apparent from FIG. 5, that the projectiles 38 and 40 are stored horizontally with their lower ends adjacent the partition wall 32 so that they drop through the outlet chute 44 into the barrels 80 in the proper position for firing.

The projectiles may be of any suitable construction and arrangement necessary to be ejected a sufficient height and then explode in order to provide the alerting signal. Fig. 13 illustrates merely as one example such a projectile or aerial bomb capable of being used as either an alerting salute 38 or an all clear salute 40. The lower end of the projectile is accordingly provided with an igniting pin 138 projecting into a mass of liftoff gunpowder 140 enclosed below a cardboard 142. A slow burning wick 144 projects into the lift-off gunpowder 140 in order to ignite a charge of gunpowder 146 after the projectile has been rocketed to a substantial height. Ignition of the charge 146 ruptures the liner 148 to explode the body of compressed gas 150 such as hydrogen enclosed within the shell 152 of the projectile. The resulting explosion of the gas produces the audible and visible signal.

It will be appreciated that the turret disc with the projectile carrying barrels 80 mounted thereon is quite heavy or massive so that its inertia presents a problem in intermittently stopping the turret disc at precise indexed positions necessary to obtain proper unloading of the projectiles from the dispenser and firing of the projectiles at the firing station by the firing mechanism. The turret disc is therefore accelerated from any indexed position to the next position by means of an indexing motor 154 as more clearly seen in FIG. 7 through the reduction gearing 6466. The turret disc is thereby accelerated at a high reduction ratio by the motor 154. The motor is however deenergized before the turret reaches the next indexed position. Accordingly, a motor deenergizing microswitch is fixedly mounted on the stationary ring 70 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 adapted to be engaged by one of the three switch actuators 162 mounted on the underside of the turret disc 56 in proper positions for actuating the microswitch 160 before the turret disc reaches an indexed position when advanced from a previously indexed position by energization of the motor 154. When the motor is deenergized, movement of the turret is retarded by simultaneous energization of an electric brake 164 mounted about the output shaft of motor 154 so as to apply a retarding torque on the turret disc through the reduction gearing 66-64. Thus, the turret is slowed down almost to a standstill when it reaches the indexed position. Upon reaching the indexed position, the turret is positively latched by means of a latching mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 166.

projecting downwardly from the turret disc 56. The latch pin 174 enters the notch 172 only when the turret disc is in an indexed position as shown in FIG. 7. A microswitch 176 is mounted on the latch member so that it may be actuated by the latch pin 174 when received within the notch 172. The microswitch 176 is operative to initiate unloading of a projectile and firing of a projectile at the same time since it is actuated only when the turret disc is latched in its indexed position. After the unloading and firing of a projectile the latch member 168 may be withdrawn from the latched position shown in FIG. 7 by means ofa latch releasing solenoid device 178 fixedly mounted below the stationary ring 70 as more clearly seen in FIG. 8. The solenoid device 178 is therefore pivotally connected to a release pin 180 extending downwardly from the end of the latch member 168 opposite the pivot 170 through an arcuate slot 182 formed in the stationary ring 70 for this purpose. The latch member is however normally urged to the latching position by means of a spring 184 interconnected between the pin 180 and a bracket 186 secured to the underside of the stationary ring 70. Thus, the start of each cycle is occasioned by displacement of the latch member 168 to a release position against the bias of spring 184 by energization of the latch releasing solenoid 178.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the control circuit for the apparatus of the present invention is shown. Any suitable source of electrical energy may be utilized if reliable and available at all times on a standby basis. For example, a l volt AC power supply connected through stepdown transformer 188 may be connected across the input terminals of a full wave rectifier 190 in order to form a 24 volt DC power source for the control system. One output voltage line 192 of the rectifier is connected in parallel to the normally opened switches 194 and 196 of selector switch assembly 198 and to the normally opened switches 200 and 202 of the second selector switch assembly 204. The switches 194 and 200 of the selector switch assemblies are respectively connected through lines 206 and 208 to latching relay coils 210 and 212 of a loading and firing control relay through which a selection is made of the type of salutes to be unloaded from the dispenser. The latching relay coils 210 and 212 are accordingly connected by return voltage line 214 to the power rectifier 190. Depending upon the selector switch assembly actuated, one of the relay coils 210 and 212 will be energized in order to displace the latching relay switch 216 to one of two operative positions establishing energizing circuit through one of the two parallel connected projectile release solenoids 132 and 134.

It will be apparent therefore, that upon momentary actuation of one of the selector switch assemblies, the type of projectile is selected by causing displacement of the relay switch 216 to one of its operative positions. However, no energizing circuit for the release solenoid 132 or 134 and firing solenoid 102 is completed until the latch engaged microswitch 176 is closed. The solenoids 102 and 132 or 134 are therefore connected to the voltage line 192 through the microswitch 176 in series with relay switch 218 adapted to be displaced to a closed position upon energization of relay latching coil 220 in the starting relay. The energizing circuit for effecting the loading and firing operation is interrupted by energization of the unlatching coil 222 of the starting relay upon closing of the normally opened stop switch 224 by the operator.

Energization of the latching coil 220 to condition the control circuit for operation is effected upon momentary closing of the normally opened switch 196 or 202 in the selector switch assemblies 198 and 204. Closing of the starting relay switch 218 establishes a connection from the voltage line 192 to the relay switch 226 in the motor control relay, relay switch 226 being ganged with the other relay switch 228 for displacement between two operative positions by means of the latching relay coils 230 and 232. In the position illustrated in FIG. 12, the relay switches 226 and 228 complete an energizing circuit through the electric brake 164 connected in parallel with a timing circuit including the time delay relay coil 234. When the relay coil 234 is energized, the normally opened recycling switch 236 is closed after a predetermined delay period. One terminal of the switch 236 is connected to the normally opened contacts of the switches 196 and 202 in the selector switch assemblies, the other terminal being connected to the engaged contact ofthe starting relay switch 218.

The selector switch assemblies also include normally closed switches 235 and 237 connected in series between the recycling relay switch 236 and a normally opened turret actuated, motor deenergizing microswitch which in turn is connected to the power terminal of the latching relay coil 230 in the motor control relay. It will be apparent therefore, that after the actuated selector switch assembly is released and the turret has been accelerated from an indexed position, microswitch 160 is momentarily closed to pulse the latching relay coil 230 in order to apply the electric brake 164 and begin a timing cycle by energization of the relay coil 234 and displacement of the relay switches 226 and 228 from the previous operative position engaging contacts completing an energizing circuit through the indexing motor 154 and the latch release solenoid 178 connected in parallel therewith. The indexing motor is a series wound motor through which an energizing circuit is completed when the relay switches 226 and 228 are displaced to the motor energizing position by energization of the latching relay coil 232. Coil 232 is energized either by momentary closing of the switches 196 and 202 of the selector switch assemblies to directly connect the coil to the voltage line 192 or upon closing of the recycling switch 236 connecting the coil 232 to the voltage line through the closed starting relay switch 218. It will be apparent however, that the circuit for the latching relaying coil 232 will be opened upon opening of the jamming safety switch 136 in order to prevent energization of the indexing motor should any projectile become jammed between the outlet chute of the dispenser and the projectile carrying barrel on the turret disc.

From the foregoing description operation of the control system will be apparent. Assuming that the turret is in an indexed position, normal cyclic operation is begun by momentary actuation of one of the selector switch assemblies 198 and 204 momentarily closing the two normally opened switches to latch the starting relay switch 218 in the closed position by pulsing latching relay coil 220 and one of the latching relay coils 210 and 212 to condition a selected release solenoid 132 or 134 for operation. Actuation of the selector switch assembly also momentarily opens the normally closed switch to prevent energization of the relay coil 230 of the motor control relay if the microswitch 160 is closed. Thus, only the relay coil 232 in the motor control relay isenergized through switch 196 or 202 in order to energize the indexing motor 154 and the latch release solenoid 178 so that the turret may be advanced from its indexed position. In view of the high reduction gearing between the motor and the turret disc, the turret disc is slowly accelerated from standstill. The actuated selector switch assembly is opened as the turret moves to a position momentarily closing the microswitch 160 to terminate the accelerating period by causing energization of the relay coil 230 to deenergize the motor, releasing the latch mechanism 166 for latching operation and apply the electric brake 164 to begin the coasting period for the turret disc. At the same time, a timing cycle is begun by energization of the relay coil 234 connected in parallel with the electric brake. The duration of the timing period is selected so as to exceed the coasting period and an additional interval of time necessary to complete unloading of a projectile from the dispenser.

When the turret coasts to the next indexed position, the latching mechanism 166 is engaged to close the latch engaged microswitch 176 completing an energizing circuit through one ofthe projectile release solenoids 132 and 134 and through the firing solenoid 102. Thus, only in the latched position of the turret disc, will a projectile be unloaded from the dispenser into a projectile carrying barrel while a projectile at the firing station is ignited. The timing cycle aforementioned is terminated upon completion of the loading and firing operations by closure of the recycling relay switch 236. The recycling switch 236 being connected in series with the closed starting switch 218, then completes an energizing circuit through the relay coil 232 if the jamming safety switch 136 is closed in order to displace the relay switches 226 and 228 to the motor energizing positions starting a new cycle. Thus, the apparatus will periodically load and fire projectiles selected from one of the dispenser chambers until the projectiles are either exhausted or the stop switch 224 is actuated to energize the unlatching relay coil 222 opening the starting relay switch 218.

Automatic operation of the system may be restarted even if the turret was previously stopped in a position between indexed position. If the turret had stopped during the coast plume of operation, closing of the switch 196 or 202 of the selector switch assemblies energizes the relay coil 232 to cause energization of the indexing motor accelerating the turret to an indexed position. When the turret reaches the indexed position, the latching mechanism 166 is held disengaged by the latch release solenoid 178 connected in parallel with the indexing motor 154. Accordingly, the microswitch 176 remains open so that no loading or firing operation occurs, this being desirable since there is no projectile carried to the firing station. The turret disc therefore continues past its indexed position with the motor 154 energized to begin a normal cycle as hereinbefore described.

If operation is started with the turret stopped during its accelerating phase of operation, the motor 154 is energized to accelerate the turret disc during a shortened accelerating period which may not be sufficient to enable the turret disc to coast to the indexed position during the following coasting phase of operation. In this event, the timing cycle which begins simultaneously with the coasting period, will terminate without the turret disc reaching the indexed position. The recycling switch 236 will then close and pulse the latching coil 232 of the motor control relay so as to resume acceleration of the turret disc to the indexed position. When the indexed position is reached, a normal operational cycle begins as hereinbefore described.

As a result of the control circuit hereinbefore described, during normal operation the turret 56 stops for a duration of one second in one embodiment of the invention to load and fire at the dispenser and firing stations spaced apart by 120. A l/6-horsepower, 24-volt, 3,600 r.p.m., series wound motor 154 may be utilized in one embodiment to accelerate the turret through a 3601i reduction gear ratio. Thus, the turret is accelerated toward a speed of IO r.p.m. by the motor for an accelerating period of limited duration followed by a coasting period during which it is retarded by an electric brake 164 applied to the motor shaft. The duration of the accelerating and coasting periods will depending upon the mass and inertia of the turret. The turret on reaching the indexed position is positively latched. When the turret is latched, in its indexed position, loading and firing is initiated. At the end of the timing cycle initiated with the beginning of the coasting period, the latch is released and a new operational cycle begun with energization of the indexing motor. The normal operational cycle is begun if one of the selector switch assemblies 198 and 204 is actuated while the turret is in an indexed position. If the turret is stopped in a nonindexed position during coast operation, it is accelerated to the indexed position by the motor without loading or firing by actuation ofa selector switch. If the turret was stopped in a nonindexed position during the accelerating period, the turret will not reach the indexed position by coasting following actuation of a selector switch. Instead, it is accelerated at the end of the timing cycle to complete movement to the indexed position without loading and firing of projectiles. Once the turret reaches the indexed position, the normal operation cycle begins.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What we claim as new is as follows:

1. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation ofthe turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions, and timing means energized simultaneously with the brake means for releasing the latch means upon completion of a timing cycle exceeding in duration the coasting period, and recycling means responsive to completion of the timing cycle for periodically energizing the motor means.

2. The combination of claim 1 including switch means operatively connecting the latch means to the control means for effecting said unloading and igniting of the projectiles only in response to said engagement of the latch means with the turret when locking the same at the indexed positions.

3. The combination of claim 2 including cycle regulating means connected to the control means for preventing unloading and igniting of the projectiles when the turret is accelerated from a stopped position between the indexed positions,

4. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed position, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, and cycle regulating means connected to the control means for preventing unloading and igniting of the projectiles when the turret is accelerated from a stopped position between the indexed positions.

5. The combination of claim 4 including indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, and latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions.

6. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, said dispenser including at least two storage chambers from which projectiles are gravity fed into the turret mounted projectile carrying means, and selectively controlled release means rendered operative in response to movement ofthe turret to the indexed positions for permitting the unloading of projectiles from a selected one of the storage chambers into the projectile carrying means.

7. The combination of claim 6 including safety means for preventing rotation of the turret from the indexed position while a projectile is in transit between the dispenser and the projectile carrying means.

8. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, and safety means for preventing rotation of the turret from the indexed position while a projectile is in transit between the dispenser and the projectile carrying means.

9. The combination of claim 8 including indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, and latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions. 

1. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions, and timing means energized simultaneously with the brake means for releasing the latch means upon completion of a timing cycle exceeding in duration the coasting period, and recycling means responsive to completion of the timing cycle for periodically energizing the motor means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including switch means operatively connecting the latch means to the control means for effecting said unloading and igniting of the projectiles only in response to said engagement of the latch means with the turret when locking the same at the indexed positions.
 3. The combination of claim 2 including cycle regulating means connected to the control means for preventing unloading and igniting of the projectiles when the turret is accelerated from a stopped position between the indexed positions.
 4. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed position, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, and cycle regulating means connected to the control means for preventing unloading and igniting of the projectiles when the turret is accelerated from a stopped position between the indexed positions.
 5. The combination of claim 4 including indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, and latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions.
 6. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed Positions, said dispenser including at least two storage chambers from which projectiles are gravity fed into the turret mounted projectile carrying means, and selectively controlled release means rendered operative in response to movement of the turret to the indexed positions for permitting the unloading of projectiles from a selected one of the storage chambers into the projectile carrying means.
 7. The combination of claim 6 including safety means for preventing rotation of the turret from the indexed position while a projectile is in transit between the dispenser and the projectile carrying means.
 8. An audible alerting apparatus comprising a stationary dispenser storing a plurality of explosive containing projectiles, a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in operative relation to the dispenser, a firing mechanism mounted in fixed spaced relation to the dispenser for igniting said projectiles, means mounted by the turret for transferring projectiles unloaded from the dispenser to the firing mechanism upon rotation of the turret between indexed positions, control means connected to the dispenser and the firing mechanism for simultaneously unloading said projectiles from the dispenser and igniting the projectiles at the firing mechanism when the turret arrives at said indexed positions, and safety means for preventing rotation of the turret from the indexed position while a projectile is in transit between the dispenser and the projectile carrying means.
 9. The combination of claim 8 including indexing motor means drivingly connected to the turret for periodic acceleration thereof from the indexed positions, brake means operatively engageable with the turret for deceleration thereof during a coasting period when the motor means is deenergized, and latch means engageable with the turret for positive stopping thereof at said indexed positions. 